Abstract
Measurement of glycated haemoglobin (HbAlc) is vital to provide meaningful diabetic care, but the assay is difficult and expensive, making its availability limited in resource-poor countries. We have field-tested a novel near-patient HbAlc meter (Glycosal™; Provalis Diagnostics Ltd, UK) in northern Ethiopia. The machine was easy to use and gave results which correlated well (r=0.96) with standard laboratory methods. The meter also performed well and retained accuracy at high ambient temperature (34.0°C). Though still relatively expensive (£4 per test), this meter does give the opportunity for practical and appropriate HbAlc testing in tropical climes, and should be considered for at least intermittent use in diabetic patients.
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